0-year-old Joseph Cauchi, one of two Maltese rescued from the Libyan desert in a daring mission by British military planes last Sunday, recounts how Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel advised the evacuees once they boarded the plane to crouch and stay still throughout their journey.

“It was ill-advisable to stand up, for we were told that the bullets from enemy fire were strong enough to penetrate through the planes and could easily hit us. Lights were not switched on during the duration of the flight, for fear of being noticed. With as many as 150 people on board, there was not much room to manoeuvre, but despite our discomfort, all of us were just simply relieved to be on our way back home,” Mr Cauchi explains.

The rescue mission was bold because few planes have been able to fly through Libyan air space.

The C-130 Hercules planes, carrying Britons and other nationals, safely landed in Malta after picking up the civilians from desert locations south of Benghazi – including Sirte.

Sirte is Col Gaddafi’s hometown, located about halfway between Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi, the main rebel stronghold. Sirte remains in the hands of pro-Gaddafi forces, and rebel commanders say it has assumed strategic importance.

Foreign news agencies are describing Sirte as one city in Libya where rebel forces do not seem to be making any inroads.

Inside Sirte, pro-Gaddafi security forces are allegedly using brutal tactics to keep the city in their hands.

“We heard the firing of bullets and at that moment you could only hope for the best. It was terrifying. To compound matters, the journey took longer than expected, since not only were we travelling in a very heavy military plane, but one which was carrying a high number of people on board.

“We were very scared of being followed by Libyan aircraft during the whole duration of the flight.”

Mr Cauchi explains that he has worked as a company stores manager on an oil refinery off the Libyan desert for the past few years.

“Once anti-government protests erupted, I wanted to return home. I made contact with the Maltese embassy in Tripoli, who promised they would do everything they could to help me.

“I moved together with other people from the oil refinery where I worked to a station in the Libyan desert in which masses of people had gathered in the hope of being evacuated.

“Last Sunday, I was contacted by a representative of the Maltese embassy, and another Maltese man and I were informed that RAF planes could be on their way to rescue us later in the day,” Mr Cauchi says.

Once the planes landed just after 4.30pm, it was then one mad rush to get on board.

“Some were scared that they would be left behind. Although we heard the plane circling above us, we could not see it clearly, since it was very windy in the desert. Once everyone boarded, the plane left at 5.30pm, and we temporarily breathed a sigh of relief.

“A huge weight was lifted off our shoulders when we finally landed at around 9.30pm at the Malta International Airport.”

It was such a rushed mission that none of his family knew he had arrived safely back to Malta.

“It was only after I landed that I contacted my wife and family. Some Maltese colleagues opted to remain in Libya – they didn’t feel the need to come back.”

Asked whether he would consider returning to Libya if or once the situation returns to normality, Mr Cauchi said he would jump at the chance.

“Over all, Libyans are very nice, friendly and helpful people. I have no regrets of working there. In the meantime, I hope I can find a job here, although I know this is going to be very difficult.

“The next few weeks are not going to be easy for me,” he comments.